05+ Tacoma problem / positive areas anyone?

[Schattenjager]

05+ Tacoma problem / positive areas

I made the jump from Land rover to Toyota with my 05 Tacoma. The reputation of Toyota is what cemented the deal for me, and now that she has almost 65K on the clock - some things are starting to pop up.

Undoubtedly, as more of these hit the used market and ExPo grows, folks will come here seeking advice about this model. So, I though I would stoke the search engine a little about this in particular.

The Good:

- Uber dependable.
- Decent gas mileage for a truck.
- Lots of things to do to enhance its off road abilities such as sway bar removal, diff breathers, factory lockers out back, etc.
- AWESOME headlights! I went one step further and upgraded to 85/100W and LOVE having an easy-to-drive-by field of light ahead
- Easy to service
- Inverter in the truck bed - oh, man - is that handy!
- The interior is wearing like iron


The Issues:
- Bad chipping on the paint
- My Compass / Temp screen went out - $1200 to replace (just re-soldered the resistor per Doc's recommendation below - now she's working again!)
- Only in 08 did the stereo come with iPod options
- Composite bed is lightweight, but hard to modify
- Lifting is not super easy without some additional work to stymie driveline vibrations
- Seats suck. Bad. If you have ever had a car with great seats - like my '87 325 BMW - you will throw rocks at these. Seat covers with an aftermarket insert in between helps greatly, though.
- Trailer hook-up is in a bad place for off-road travel. Even after being warned, I tore it off being careless.

Anyone have something to add?

Overall, a truck is built to an average - to serve someone who just likes trucks and MAY load the bed with groceries, to us, the ExPo guys. Thankfully, the aftermarket helps us dial in our rigs to serve our needs best. Overall, I am pleased with this truck and would recommend one in a heart beat!
:bowdown:

 

[HMR]

Just turned 60K on my '05. My truck is not a daily driver and is used for recreation 90+% of the time. I'm not a hardcore wheeler but it spends more time on "unimproved" roads than the average Tacoma.

The Issues:
- Bad chipping on the paint
After MANY miles on gravel roads in ID, OR, WA, NV, AZ and CA; I haven't experienced any chipping.

- My Compass / Temp screen went out - $1200 to replace (haven't)
All my bells and whistles work as new.

- Only in 08 did the stereo come with iPod options
Agreed. Not sure why Toyota is 3 years behind the curve?

- Composite bed is lightweight, but hard to modify
I LOVE the load flexibility provided by the forward/side rails. I also installed the front d-rings and they work great. I prefer this design over my previous Toyota 4x4 p/u.

- Lifting is not super easy without some additional work to stymie driveline vibrations
I added 2.5" front and rear in an afternoon via SAW's and AAL's. Drives even better/smoother than stock. Can't comment on higher lifts.

- Seats suck. Bad. If you have ever had a car with great seats - like my '87 325 BMW - you will throw rocks at these. Seat covers with an aftermarket insert in between helps greatly, though.
BMW seats are great. The wife and I think the Tacoma seats are great too.

- Trailer hook-up is in a bad place for off-road travel. Even after being warned, I tore it off being careless.
Agreed. But it's in the perfect place for towing trailers which is what the towing package was designed for. Two bolts, a tie-wrap and 5 minutes remedy the problem.

Anyone have something to add?

We still haven't found a better rig for our family of 4 (2 humans+2dogs).

 

[Dave Bennett]

The temp/compass can be fixed pretty easily:

http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106851&highlight=compass+display

 

[Schattenjager]

DUDE !!! :beer:
Thanks Doc - that is tomorrows project! I had no idea how much I missed that until I didn't have it. Reminds me of a girl I once knew back in Tennessee...

 

[Schattenjager]

Did the repair this AM in about 8 minutes. Thanks a lot for the info!
:REOutArchery02:

 

[crawler#976]

List of Toyota Service Bulletins (TSB):

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/tacoma/127749-2005-technical-service-bulletins/

Early 2005 Taco w/ 45000 on the clock:

Problems:

Drivers side window motor failed. (Replaced under warranty)

A/C compressor failed. (Replaced under warranty.)

Drivers side door seal gasket replaced due to wind noise/whistle. (Replaced under warranty.)

Seems like the paint is prone to chipping, we've multiple paint chips on doors, hood. (Most door chips from inconsiderate bastids in parking lots, hood chips from the good ol' chip sealing of local roads)

We're cautious about over stressing the rear axle with the locker engaged. There have been many R/P broken on early Taco's.

Mark

 

[tacollie]

Any vehicle made in the US is going to have paint issues since EPA started requiring car companies to use water based paint.

My tail gate doesn't latch, the only problem I have had so far.

 

[Super Doody]

The biggest issues are the frame cracking for early production trucks in 05 and trd rear diff failures. A quick search on ttora will yield many posts.

 

[Streakerfreak]

My take from your list.

The Good:

- Uber dependable.
That is why a lot of us bought a Toyota
- Decent gas mileage for a truck.
Not bad for it's size, but could be better. There is no reason full size trucks are getting about the same mileage as we do.
- Lots of things to do to enhance its off road abilities such as sway bar removal, diff breathers, factory lockers out back, etc.
Agreed. This is one reason I switched from Nissan trucks to Toyota
- AWESOME headlights! I went one step further and upgraded to 85/100W and LOVE having an easy to drive by field of light ahead
Nothing really to input
- Easy to service
Yes they are. I would not fool myself into thinking I am a handy man kind of guy, but I have been able to tackle everything in this truck with some ease.
- Inverter in the truck bed - oh, man - is that handy!
Damn me for not having the Off-Road edition! I do long for that handy inverter.
- The interior is wearing like iron
Mixed feelings on this as far as the access cab is concerned. The rear area is getting beaten up a bit when the rear seats are laid down to form the large flat area in back. The carpet is not strong enough and there really is nothing but cloth and stuffing making up the flip seat portion.


The Issues:
- Bad chipping on the paint
No problems yet.
- My Compass / Temp screen went out - $1200 to replace (haven't)
Again...Damn me for not having an off-road version or that could be a good thing.
- Only in 08 did the stereo come with iPod options
No big deal for me, I still use CDs
- Composite bed is lightweight, but hard to modify
I like the composite bed. Its lightweight, yet strong, but you are right it is hard to modify. It does not take drilling through it well.
- Lifting is not super easy without some additional work to stymie driveline vibrations
I still don't know what everyone is talking about. I have Camburg 2.5 in front and custom Alcans in the rear and I have NO vibrations. I just installed the stuff, put longer rear break lines in new shocks and away I went. It does seem to be a problem with most everyone else though and I don't know why I am not getting these vibrations.
- Seats suck. Bad. If you have ever had a car with great seats - like my '87 325 BMW - you will throw rocks at these. Seat covers with an aftermarket insert in between helps greatly, though.
Maybe for all you old fartseepwall: I like my seats.
- Trailer hook-up is in a bad place for off-road travel. Even after being warned, I tore it off being careless.
Yup torn mine off too, but its all gone now with the bumper.

Other then that I have been golden *Knock on wood*

 

[Sgt Grunt]

Should have bought my 80!!!!!! :sombrero: :ar15:

 

[Cackalak Han]

- Decent gas mileage for a truck.
Not bad for it's size, but could be better. There is no reason full size trucks are getting about the same mileage as we do.

I don't know why this gets brought up, but I'd like to know which full-size pickup gets the same mileage? My Tacoma gets 21/17. That's real-world numbers, and the Toyota website says (said) the same.

My friend's 5.7L Tundra gets 14MPG mixed driving. His old 4.7L got about the same and a little less with a lift and 33's. Website says 13/17.

GMC's site says 13/19, but I don't know of a single person that gets this. And I know plenty of people with GMC trucks, since it seems like that's all I see around here. Most are in the 14MPG range. My father's 2500 gas gets 14MPG and that's mostly freeway driving.

Ford is pretty much the same as above. My friend with the V6 version doesn't even get 20.

Dodge - Know two people with 1500's and they are both at 12-13MPG. Worst of the bunch.

I don't know, but a 30% drop in MPG is pretty significant. I think the Tacoma's are doing well and can't really see anyone improving the MPG on a 4,000LB truck with a gas V6 engine.

 

[djsixbillion]

Fuel mileage is the only real peeve I have about my '06 6-speed Tacoma. With 265/75-16's I average ~16 mpg in mostly highway driving. On one trip I purposefully shifted at 2k and set the cruise at 65 or below as conditions allowed, and came away with a tank at 17.5 mpg. For comparison, I often drive an '07 full-size Chevy 4x4 for work, with I believe the 5.3 V8. It has much more get-up than my truck, and seems to average about 18 mpg even with a lead foot.

I still much prefer the feel of my Toyota though! Better handling, much more responsive brakes, suspension, etc.

Not to sidetrack the thread, but has anyone done anything to lower the highway cruising rpm of their manual-trans Tacoma? Would the larger diameter of 255/85's help much? Methinks this would help with the economy.

 

[tacollie]

I get 14 in town an 17 on the highway, seems to be pretty common on ttora. My brothers 02 Tundra gets 16 in town ant 18 highway and he has more power even when it is loaded with tools. Just my experience.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I get 14 in town an 17 on the highway, seems to be pretty common on ttora. My brothers 02 Tundra gets 16 in town ant 18 highway and he has more power even when it is loaded with tools. Just my experience.

Yikes! Are you heavy on the gas or do you have really big tires? My stock '04 gets 17-18 in city driving and 19.5-23 on the highway (27 mpg one time but that was special circumstances...)

One reason I have chosen not to heavily modify my truck is that every off-road mod I can think of results in worse MPG and I feel like the MPG on these vehicles is marginal now. If part of the cost of having a winch, lift kit, bigger tires, ARB bumper, etc, means a 15-25% reduction in my already not spectacular MPG then it's not worth it - I just don't spend that much time off road vs. on road. Perhaps it'd be different if I had a dedicated expo rig and a separate daily driver, but I don't.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Not to sidetrack the thread, but has anyone done anything to lower the highway cruising rpm of their manual-trans Tacoma? Would the larger diameter of 255/85's help much? Methinks this would help with the economy.

No, it would not help. Those tires are bigger, which means harder to turn. If you want better gas mileage, go back to a 265/70 or 245/75.